CEO Bob Sternfels says McKinsey now has 60,000 employees: 25,000 of them are AI agents

In a remarkable shift, McKinsey & Company is redefining its workforce dynamics by integrating artificial intelligence into its operations. CEO Bob Sternfels recently revealed on Harvard Business Review's IdeaCast that the consulting giant now boasts a total workforce of 60,000, which includes approximately 25,000 AI agents. During his remarks at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Sternfels highlighted the rapid growth of AI within the company, noting that just a year and a half ago, there were only a few thousand AI agents. He expressed a vision for the future where every employee would be supported by at least one AI agent, enhancing their capabilities. AI agents, which are virtual assistants capable of performing tasks autonomously, are becoming integral to McKinsey's operational strategy. These agents assist in problem-solving, planning, and executing tasks without direct user input. This expansion of AI reflects a wider trend within the consulting industry, as firms such as Boston Consulting Group and PwC also pivot towards incorporating generative AI into their daily processes. Alex Singla, a senior partner at McKinsey and co-leader of QuantumBlack—responsible for the firm’s AI initiatives—revealed that AI now drives 40% of McKinsey's projects. As the firm embraces this technology, it seeks candidates who can blend traditional consulting skills with technological expertise, aiming to cultivate professionals who excel in both areas. Moreover, McKinsey is not just changing its workforce but also its business model. The firm is moving away from the conventional advisory approach and is instead focusing on collaborative projects with clients, helping them develop and fund business cases. This evolution signifies a major shift in how McKinsey intends to operate in the future, emphasizing a synergy between human intelligence and artificial intelligence.